Like us, our pets can also have an allergic reaction triggered by various factors. Sometimes, the symptoms of allergies can be minor in cats, and you can brush it off. However, some of the symptoms can be severe and can cause immense damage to your cat’s health. Getting a proper diagnosis for allergies can be tricky. You do not have to worry since there are safe ways to identify the allergies and opt for an appropriate treatment method. Make sure to consult with a good vet or a veterinary dermatologist.

1. Skin and blood testing
Cats with allergies exhibit symptoms differently. Certain skin and blood tests can aid in identifying what is causing an allergic reaction. For instance, a radioallergosorbent test will tell you whether your cat is allergic to specific inhalants that can affect their skin and breathing. Another method is intradermal skin testing, in which different allergens are injected into your cat’s body by a veterinary dermatologist in a controlled area to assess and observe your cat’s reaction. This testing has a fewer number of false-positive results than the blood tests.

2. Symptoms and elimination foods
Your cat can exhibit a range of symptoms, varying from runny eyes, sneezing, and skin redness to more severe symptoms like ragged breathing. If you think your cat’s breathing has suddenly changed or become heavy, you can immediately take your cat to the vet. However, identifying the allergy and what is causing it can be slightly tricky in milder symptoms. You can practice elimination foods and other exclusion trials of food, treats, bedding, and cleaning products to identify what is causing an allergic reaction.

3. Assessing for environmental allergies
While elimination diets can help identify food allergies, your cats can be prone to environmental allergens like pollen, mold, and dust. They exhibit symptoms seasonally. For instance, when you see your cat constantly licking a particular area or a rash developing, understand that it can be due to environmental allergies. However, first, you need to cross out other factors like a respiratory infection, yeast infection, or mites’ infestation, which can mimic these symptoms.

3. Treatment through allergy serum
After taking your cat for a skin test to determine what allergens are harming their body, the vet will provide you with a detailed allergy workbook. For instance, after the intradermal skin testing, the veterinary dermatologist will customize an allergy serum for your cat based on the test results. Take your cat to a reputed clinic, and they will teach you how to administer the doses. Many cat owners prefer immunotherapy, where the administered serum changes the immune system’s response to an allergen. It won’t trigger your allergies long-term and is a suitable option for many cat breeds.

4. Alternative medication with hypoallergenic food
When treating food allergies in your cats, you might have to change their meal plan and avoid certain flavored prescription treatments. Apart from following a strict meal plan, you can constantly review your cat’s response to hypoallergenic food. Your vet will recommend a specific meal plan and draw up a chart. While food allergies don’t have a cure, the course of treatment is to avoid any food that can cause a flare-up. This meal is long-term, and you should avoid common cat treats and table scraps.

5. Long-term treatments and supplements
Pets who have seasonal allergies or sometimes react to environmental allergens either need long-term treatment or need treatment during flare-ups. For environmental allergies, vets often recommend desensitization therapy through allergy shots. Fatty acid supplements can also help nourish your cat’s skin and, to an extent, prevent the absorption of allergens. Allergy medicines like antihistamines, which can reduce itchiness, have some side effects. Cyclosporine, which can reduce the immune system response, also causes side effects like vomiting.